Margaret Ann Philbrick is an award-winning author and poet. she is the contributing editor of the essay and poetry collection for women, Everbloom—Stories of Deeply Rooted and Transformed Lives. Her poems and articles have been featured in numerous anthologies and publications, including her award-winning poem, A Mother’s Art. Margaret is a founding member of the Red-bud Writers Guild NFP and a member of the Door County Published Author Collective. Margaret Ann is also the author of Margaret’s Child – A Young Entrepreneur of America’s Competition Winner, 2020. Her latest novel is House of Honor.   The website is margaretphilbrick.com and whostolethepainting.com

On this episode of Chicago Writes, the Podcast of the Chicago Writers Association, Educator and Award-winning Children's Author of Calvin, Vanessa Ford M.A.T. and Author of the Critically-acclaimed No Gender Left Behind and Educator Rebecca Kling, Authors of The Advocate Educator’s Handbook: Creating Schools Where Transgender and Non-Binary Students Thrive available on Amazon.  The websites are theadvocateeducator.com, also jrandvanessaford.com and rebeccakling.com. Never worry about missing anything important to your writing by subscribing to the Write City Blog, and get Every new edition of the newsletter direct to your inbox at chicagowrites.substack.com Registratration is open  for Let’s Just Write: The Chicago Writers Association Conference, March 21–23, 2025. To book your room at the iconic Warwick Allerton Hotel at the conference rate of only $129.00. Visit Chicago writes .com

From CWA BOTY winner Linda Gartz' Redlined: A Memoir of Race, Change, and Fractured Community in 1960s Chicago, to Civic Lab founder Tom Tresser's NO GAMES CHICAGO How A Small Group of Citizens Derailed the City’s 2016 Olympic Bid, there are lessons writers can learn about storytelling, structure, media messaging, and marketing. The websites is nogameschicagobook.com. CWA’s 9th Annual First Chapter Contest Opens August 10th. Visit chicagowrites.org The Chicago Writers Association returns to Printers Row Lit Fest on September 7 and 8, 2024. Note: We have sold out all open slots for the weekend. If you'd like to add your name to the wait list in the event of any cancellations, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject heading: "Add me to the Printers Row wait list."      

Miles Harvey is the author of three nonfiction books, The King of Confidence (a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice selection), Painter in a Savage Land, and The Island of Lost Maps, a national and international bestseller. He teaches creative writing at DePaul University in Chicago, where he chairs the Department of English and is a founding editor of Big Shoulders Books, a nonprofit, social-justice publisher. The Registry of Forgotten Objects is his first work of fiction. https://www.milesharvey.com

Kevin M. Hall is a New York author. He is the author of 3 books, Ilion My Childhood My Memories, My Rosemount MN. Memories, and SIGNS - The Veil is Thinner Than We Imagine. The website is Kevin-Hall.com. Risa August is a champion. She is the author of the award-winning memoir, or the biography of Bubba the tumor, if you like… The book is The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike   Learn more about Risa at: https://www.risaaugust.com Chicago Writes is the podcast of the Chicago Writers Association For just $25 per year become a member of CWA and join a great community of fellow writers and authors from anywhere on the planet and unlock a wealth of writer's resources. Visit chicagowrites.org

Jonathan Eig is an American journalist and biographer and the author of six books. His most recent King: A Life (2023), a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was just awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Mr. Eig is also the author of… Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig (2005). Ali: A Life. Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season. For Get Capone, Eig discovered thousands of pages of never-before-reported government documents from its case against the infamous gangster. He is also the author of The Birth of the Pill. The website is www.jonathaneig.com The Chicago Writer's Association is a 501c3 charitable organization, visit Chicago Writes.org With host WC Turck.

Host WC Turck takes you along for a need-to-know marketing hack on Amazon for his new novel, The Assassination of Baby Hitler: A Love Story with Dan Davies from Renegade Press LLC, renegadepresspublisher.com. Unlock a wealth of writer resources by joining the Chicago Writers Association today. Visit chicagowrites.org.

After recovering from a brain aneurysm in 2004 that left her blind and paralyzed, Janet Sutherland Madden wrote an astounding book of trauma and the courage to overcome is titled “Nose Over Toes.” Her latest project is a children's book titled, "Rhett, the kind little Corgi," a No.# 1 Amazon bestseller. Janet spent a life in media, journalism and marketing and shares some lessons learned. Janet Sutherland Madden has also turned her energies towards lobbying and fundraising for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, visit: www.bafound.org.   Plus, a sample of great literary events in and around Chicago. Read "How to Write a Children’s Book," at: thejohnfox.com/2019/02/how-to-write-a-childrens-book/

On this episode of Chicago Writes, our remaining Book of the Year authors, Prof. Jill Christman and Gary D. Wilson discuss their award-winning books and offer advice they give their writing students.  Gary D. Wilson is a critically acclaimed novelist and writer of narrative short story fiction. His latest Book of the Year winning collection is For Those Who Favor Fire. Gary's latest novel, The Narrow Window, will be released in March 2024 by Roundfire Books, an imprint of Collective Ink. His website is www.garydwilson.com Jill Christman's Book of the Year is titled, If This Were Fiction: A Love Story in Essays, a lyrical, sometimes blushing, sometimes shocking, and eminently insightful memoir. Her website is jillchristman.com Additional Links: Jill Christman is a producer for the podcast Indelible: Campus Sexual Violence.  Writing by hand may increase brain connectivity more than typing on a keyboard, by Deborah Pirchner, February 16, 2024. Cognitive Science, Neuroimaging. The Books of Lorrie Moore at Amazon. The Chicago Writer Association is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Visit chicagowrites.org.    

Lois Hoitenga Roelofs is one of CWAs Book of the Year winners for her moving memory, Marv in Charge: A story of Bold Love and courage, from Deep River books. An uncommonly candid book on death, dying and faith. Her website is loisroelofs.com Rita Woods Latest novel, The Last Dreamwalker, was just named one of the Chicago Writers Association’s Book of the Year. This sumptuous mystery is destined to take its place among the very best set along the coast of South Carolina. It has the drama and deep hues of Pat Conroy’s Prince of Tides, while exploring the tumultuous mystery as a daughter unravels her late mother’s life, reminiscent of Sue Monk Kidd’s, The Secret Life of Bees. Her website is ritawoodswrites.com. The Chicago Writers Association is a 501c3 charitable organization. Like us on Facebook. Visit chicagowrites.org.

Happy New Year! In our season 3 opener: An author scam alert, plus a conversation with one of last Year's Book of the Year award winning author Mark Hutson of the critically acclaimed "So Costly a Sacrifice," available on Amazon. Plus, a bit of WC Turck's conversation with Rick Kaempfer, author of the runaway bestseller "The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever," available on Amazon and Eckhartz Press.com. Catch the full conversations at the Playtime Playcast with host WC Turck here. Unlock a wealth of author and writer resources by visiting chicagowrites.org. The Chicago Writers Association is a charitable 501(c) 3 organization. Subscribe to this podcast for notifications on future guests and programs.

Do you think of Book marketing as confusing and complex? You are hardly alone! Long time friend of the podcast and one of the most proactive authors for marketing, David W. Berner’s success doesn’t just happen but requires a bit of work and effort from the author. After speaking with Mike O’Malley from LitNuts last month, host WC Turck thought it would offer keen insights by prying open David’s bag of tricks and promotional secrets (and maybe a few scars and open wounds!). The website is davidwberner.com Chick out David's Substack page The Abundance. The Chicago Writers Association is a 501c3 charitable organization. Visit chicagowrites.org From everyone here at CWA, we wish you a warm and happy Holiday season and a very Merry Christmas.  

Mike O'Mary knows book marketing. As an Indie publisher he produced several NYT bestsellers, including Dina Kucera's Everything I Never Wanted to Be-A Memoir of Alcoholism and Addiction, Faith and Family, Hope and Humor. Together with his daughter, Kathleen Meyer, they began an online newsletter featuring only indie authors and publishers with some 13,000 subscribers. LitNuts.com features a unique and affordable platform to get your book in front of readers. Mike also offers advice and hard-learned lessons on creating a marketing strategy for Indie authors! Links to all of our CWA programs, events, and resources are at Chicago Writes.org. Join today! The Chicago Writers Association is a 501(c)3 charity, open to writers anywhere in the world. Unlock a wealth of writing resources at Chicago Writes.org

Professor Ana Castillo is an author, poet and visual artist. Her latest critically acclaimed book is a thought-provoking collection of short stories transcending demographics titled Doña Cleanwell Leaves Home, published by Harper Collins. Available at Amazon and all fine bookstores. Her website is anacastillo.net. Plus, Micheal Finney, business strategy consultant focused on media and message, talks sound scaping for ebooks and his new book, How to Create a Small Business Content Marketing Strategy in 10 Steps- A branding workbook for beginners.  The website is michael-finney.com.   Chicago Writes in the official podcast of the Chicago Writers Association. Visit chicagowrites.org. Subscribe to this podcast. Chicago Writers Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Join today, and like our community of writers, authors, poets and publishers on Facebook to unlock a wealth of writing resources and connections.   

Writing compelling Sex Scenes for novelists, with author, screenwriter and Producer Dorothy Mackevich Marks. Her latest book is Les Beaux Châteaux which tells the story of father and son antique dealers amid the twilight of a romanticized legacy French culture. Visit www.dorothymackevichmarks.com. You can also keep up to date on facebook.com, at DorothyMackevichMarks Also, in this episode of Chicago Writes, Publishing Cocktails, a meet-up for writers with Javier Ramirez from Exile in Bookville, exileinbookville.com, and author Keir Graff, keirgraff.com.  Find Les Beaux Châteaux by Dorothy Machevich Marks on Amazon Exile in Bookville is in the historic Fine Arts Building. 410 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 210 in Chicago’s Loop. Call Exile in Bookville, (312) 753-3154 Instagram: @exileinbookville Twitter: @BookvillExiles Facebook: @exileinbookville Visit chicagowrites.org

Nora Neus is an Emmy-nominated journalist and author. Neus field-produced Anderson Cooper’s CNN coverage of the 2017 white supremacist riot in Charlottesville, Virginia. Before joining CNN, she worked as a local news reporter and fill-in anchor for the CNN affiliate in Charlottesville. Nora also co-authored Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria, available at Amazon. Her latest book 24 hours in Charlottesville: An Oral History of the Stand Against White Supremacy  is available at Amazon. Her website is noraneus.com Brought to you exclusively by the Chicago Writers Association. CWA is a 501c3 not-for-profit charity. Visit us at chicagowrites.org

Maggie Smith founded ArtSource, a leading art consulting company. In 2017 she switched gears to pursue a dream to be a full-time writer. Her debut novel Truth and Other Lies is about truth and coming clean to yourself and about truth and honesty. It is about perseverance and second chances. Maggie is the host of the podcast Hear Us Roar for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, IHeartRadio, and Amazon Music. She is a frequent blogger on the topic of writing, including a recent piece title Funny Business: Incorporating Humor Into Your Novel. Her website is maggiesmithwriter.com Read the full piece, Funny Business: Incorporating Humor Into Your Novel, at maggiesmithwriter.com Links to the Chicago Writers Association are at chicagowrites.org Our theme song, Midnight Ride from the album Snoviđenja is courtesy of Dino Olovcic and is available on Spotify.

Kristin Oakley’s latest young adult novel is “The Devil Particle”. Kristin teaches writing workshops, has critiqued manuscripts through the University of Wisconsin‘s -Madison Division of Continuing Studies, and has helped writers hone their agent pitches at the Division’s Writers’ Institute. She is also the author of The Award-winning Leo Townsend Series, as well as blogs from writing to home schooling. Her website is Kristin Oakley.net The Devil Particle Release Party! Wednesday, June 7th, 6:00 p.m. Mystery to Me Bookstore, 1863 Monroe St., Madison, WI Tickets are free but space is limited.  Can't make it in person? The event will also be livestreamed www.crowdcast.io/e/devil-particle/register Top 5 Tips for Writing Compelling Young Adult Fiction by Jessica Clausen at writersedit.com Two resources about writing young adult fiction: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/how-to-write-a-young-adult-novel www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-ya-fiction A great, concise article on the 12 Types of Characters can be found at blog.reedsy.com/types-of-characters/ Submissions for The Chicago Writers Association's 13th annual Book of the Year Contest is currently open! See the guidelines on the entry form via the link in the notes below and be sure your book is submitted to the correct category. Entries will be accepted until August 1, 2023. Entries postmarked after midnight on August 1, 2023 cannot be accepted. For details and entry form visit chicagowrites.org/book_of_the_year Look for details about the 8th Annual First Chapter Contest coming soon in the summer of 2023. Polish, polish, polish and be ready to submit that winning first chapter. It could land you a once in a lifetime full scholarship to attend either the All-Genre Novel-In-Progress (NIP) Bookcamp & Writing Retreat on June 18-24, 2023 or the Speculative Fiction NIP Bookcamp & Writing Retreat, on August 13-19, 2023, at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, Wisconsin. visit novelbookcamp.org, and chicagowrites.org and click on the Contest tab for details The Chicago Writers Association is a 501c3 charitable organization, become a member today by visiting chicagowrites.org Subscribe to this podcast for notification on upcoming episodes.  

Christina D. Rodriguez is an award winning Latinx poet, and entrepreneur from New York, currently living in Chicago. Her poems have appeared in Tupelo Quarterly, Yes, Poetry, Rust + Moth, Satin Soulbits, and elsewhere. She is a board member of the Chicago Writers Association as the organization’s social media manager and poetry editor for CWA's The Write City Magazine. She is also a contributor to the Instagram poetry book club, Can We Discuss Poetry. Christina D. Rodriguez’s first book of poetry is a beautifully textured collection titled “Knees in the Garden” from Querencia Press, released in February 2023, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at KneesintheGarden.com, or to contact Christina, [email protected].   Prolific Chicago-based artist Leo Segedin turned 96 this year and still puts in an average of 6 hours of work daily. His website is leopoldsegedin.com. Paul and Ben produced three books of Leo’s Artwork. I had the honor of writing the afterword for Leo Segedin’s latest book, Leopold Segedin: The Holocaust Series. Paintings and Drawings 1967-79. Leopoldsegedin.com is the website. Leo is currently showing at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Now through Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 927 Noyes St Ste 100, Evanston, IL (847) 328-2100.  Paul Segedin joins host WC Turck to talk about all that goes into that effort. To reach Paul Segedin, [email protected] The Chicago Writers Association is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization, open to anyone in the world. For info and membership details visit chicagowrites.org For more about the Educational Series, visit chicagowrites.org/educational series  

Chili Dog MVP: Dick Allen, The '72 White Sox and a Transforming Chicago, by David Fletcher, John Owens, and George Castle, was a runner up for this year’s Book of the Year Award for non-Fiction. David Fletcher speaks about the book, story structure techniques and collaboration on a writing project. Chili Dog MVP is available at Amazon. To register for CWA Presents with host Sandra Colbert and a conversation with the founder of the Chicago International Film Festival, Michael Kutza, about his memoir, “Starstruck: How I magically transformed Chicago into Hollywood for more than Fifty Years.” Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 1:00 p.m Columbia College, Ferguson Hall, 600 S. Michigan, in Chicago. Click this link. Check out our Education Page at chicagowrites.org. Registration is now open for the CWA Education Series. Coming up, on Saturday, April 15, 2023: “Creating Unforgettable Characters” with award winning author Kristin Oakley. June 10, 2023 join award-winning writer and educator Tim Storm for “Story Structure and Editing”. What is the basic structure of your story and how can an editor help you discover it? What does an editor do and when do you need to hire one? And on Saturday September 23, 2023: “What Makes a Successful Website for Authors” with Celeste Anton of Dandelion Web Marketing. Sessions range from complimentary to $20 per session. Registration is required for all. Paid sessions are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Learn more about each session on the Education page at chicagowrites.org. And our website, chicagowrites.org is a resource for your writing success as well. Chicago Writes offers tools and a wealth of information to help you become the writer you were meant to be. Check out our blog with tips and insights on the art and business of writing by some of Chicago’s best known writers, like marketing tips, the importance of networking, where and how to find Beta readers, the pros and cons of Indie Publishing, The Art of Misdirection: How To Keep Your Readers On Their Toes, And so much more. 24/7, 365 days each year at www.chicagowrites.org (backslash)/blog The Chicago Writers Association is a charitable 501c3 organization.

Toya Wolfe scored with her debut novel, "Last Summer On State Street". This is good and necessary storytelling. Toya joins host WC Turck for a deep diving into this critically acclaimed, and CWA Book of the Year award winner for Traditional Fiction. From Faulkner to Sista Souljah and much more. Find Last Summer on State Street on Amazon. Check out more from Toya Wolfe at toyawolfe.com Follow her on social media, at Facebook, on Twitter @toyawolves to keep up with all the latest author news and updates, and on Instagram.com/toyawolves.  Visit The Chicago Writers Association at chicagowrites.org,  Register now for this year's Let's Just Write: An Uncommon Writer's Conference, March 25-26th, 2023. And don't forget to check out 79 original programs from 46 local presenters from the CWA Speakers Bureau!

On this episode of Chicago Writes, News about the 2023 CWA Writer's Educational Series. Also, A reminder to register now for Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference. March 25-26, 2023 Visit ChicagoWrites.org! Plus, Associate professor of English and Creative Writing, Shawn Shiflett on ChatGPT and the future of writing.  Ken Korber from the Center for Functional Learning on writing books for kids. And, Michael S. Zimmerman bears all in a stunning new memoir, Suburban Bigamy: 6 miles between truth and deceit.  A like to Playtime WC Turck on Podbean.  

It's a brand-new year, as The Chicago Writers Association Celebrates the 2022 Book of the Year Award Winners! We talk rhythm and vulnerability in writing with the sumptuous memoir This Jade World author Ira Sukrunruang, voice and mythology with Christina Marrocco from her powerful novel Addio, Love Monster, and researching truths and character with Mark Hutson with his outstanding debut historical non-fiction work So Costly a Sacrifice. Plus, a link to the stunning debut novel from our Traditional Fiction Winner from Toya Wolfe, Last Summer on State Street. Announcements on important upcoming events from CWA. And a bit of my conversation with Rock And Roll Warrior: David Libert: 9781685244361: Amazon.com: Books, and music pioneer, David Libert about writing his memoir. Simply click on the names and titles to find out more about all our great authors. For more of my conversation with all these amazing authors, visit the Playtime with WC Turck podcast. Visit the Chicago Writers Association and unlock a wealth of author and writer resources.

The independent bookstore means far more to their communities, as well as for authors. We thought we’d explore that relationship, how and if brick and mortar retail stores are the best option for self-published authors, as well as the challenges independent bookstores face in our ever-changing world. In the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, once known as Germantown for its German pubs, restaurants, the Dank House, an apothecary, and shops, is an oasis for book lovers. The Book Cellar is an independently owned, community-oriented bookstore located at 4736-38 North Lincoln Ave Chicago. They are open 10am to 8pm weekdays, 10am-6pm Saturdays and 10am-4pm Sundays! Find the Book Cellar online at bookcellarinc.com. Their telephone number is (773) 293-2665. Suzy Takacs is the owner of The Book Cellar in Chicago! Stay updated on CWA news and events: Chicago Writers Association : Sign Up to Stay in Touch (constantcontact.com) To secure your spot for the 2023 Let's Just Write, Writer's Conference: Let’s Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference 2023 (chicagowrites.org) To become a CWA member, or give a membership as a gift: Join Chicago Writers Association (chicagowrites.org) To hear more of Rick and Dave's Minutia Men Celebrity Podcast: Minutia Men Celebrity Interview  - Radio Misfits Podcast Network Chrystallia and the Source of Light by Paul Michael Glaser: Chrystallia and the Source of Light: P.M. Glaser: 9781608322329: Amazon.com: Books And for more music from Dino Olovcic: Stream Dino Olovcic music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud

Like love and sex, fear is instinctual. The fight or flight response to things which may cause us harm is centered in our amygdala, a roughly almond-shaped mass of gray matter inside each cerebral hemisphere, involved with the experiencing of emotions. The root of our nightmares. This is the domain of the horror writer. But there is more to horror stories in what they teach us. It is a training ground of sorts, defining how we may react, but also what we should react to. Our rational minds know the dark characters of horror tales will not harm us. These stories teach us to act rationally and not allow our fears to run rampant and out of control. Beyond the macabre, these are moralistic stories about life, love and eternity. When you write horror, you are writing about so much more. Dan Klefstad is a longtime radio host and newscaster at NPR station WNIJ in Dekalb. His latest novel is Fiona’s Guardians, available at Amazon and quality independent bookstores. Resources and Links:  How to Write a Horror Story: 7 Tips for Writing Horror, From: reedsy blog, June 20, 2022 From nownovel.com, How to write a horror story: 6 terrific tips A link to Fiona's Guardians by Dan Klefstad, available at Amazon! The film teaser for Fiona's Guardians from director Stuart Wahlin is on Youtube.  Listen to Rick and Dave's Celebrity Misfits podcast. The link to the CWA Speakers Bureau. Please contact CWA Speakers Bureau director Daniel Smith at 708.717.6126 or [email protected] with any questions. Register for the 2023 Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference, voted one of the best writing conferences in the U.S. by The Writer Magazine, March 25-26, 2023 at the Warwick Allerton Hotel in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, 701 north Michigan avenue. Visit wildapricot.org. And reserve your spot now by November 30, 2022 for Early registration discounts wildapricot.org. Visit Chicago Writes.org for complete details. CHICAGO WRITERS ASSOCIATION is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 

On the October episode of Chicago Writes host WC Turck talks with author Alex Poppy on Writing with purpose, and a bit from Radio misfits hosts Rick and Dave and their conversation with bestselling author Scott Turow. Catch their full interview at radiomisfits.com. Plus, October announcements and a bit of news for writers. Alex’s books are available on Amazon and at her website. For more on Alex Poppe, visit: ALEX POPPE.com. Give the writer in your life the gift of a Chicago Writers Association membership for just $25/year and unlock a wealth of Writer’s resources. Our theme song “Midnight Ride” is courtesy Dino Olovcic. Find his music on Spotify.

Dan Davies is best known as the writer, actor, and producer of the cult-film “Ed Gein- the musical.” He co-starred with Sadie Kaye in Miss Adventure meets Motörhead, which was a highly rated video on Will Ferrell/HBO's Funny or Die. He won for Best Supporting Actor (Comedy) along with Majid Michel and John Dumelo in the 2017 Golden Movie Awards for his work in A Trip to Jamaica. In 2017 he appeared in the revenge thriller Wronged and the internationally acclaimed and award-winning spiritual and Lakota western "West of Thunder". Add to that list publisher. Earlier this year Dan Davies started a boutique publishing house…Renegade Press, LLC in Appleton, Wisconsin. Renegade Press on Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084936795330 To contact Renegade Press, LLC: [email protected] And to A Forest Dark on Amazon! And links to our news Items: Food Writers Wanted! Mark Twain's advice to a young writer. Light Lark on TikTok Booksellers and Inflation Book Buying Statistics 6 Types of Character Conflict Types of Characters in Storytelling And as always, your link to the Chicago Writers Association.  

On this episode of Chicago Writes, a conversation with Book Doctor Donald G. Evans. Writers News in our new Around the Web segment and pushing the envelope on audio books and telling the truth in memoirs from R&B star Danny Boy Steward. A link to Donald G. Evans.com, book doctor, author, and Founding Executive Editor of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame For more on Stories Around the Web: From entrepreneur.com, 3 tips for writing when you don’t feel like it: A guide to help content writers and creative writers break out of a writing slump and get back to creating great work. By Scott Baradell July 11, 2022 A piece in psychology today from Kristin Meekhof author of  A Widow's Guide to Healing caught our attention 7 Things Everyone Should Know About Writing a Book Then there is this in our constantly changing world of writing, from John Domini writing at lit hub, July 25th 2022, Renaissance of the Weird: Experimental Fiction as the New American Normal Stranded on Death Row: The Autobiography of Danny Boy Steward The Chicago Writer’s Association, ChicagoWrites.org Subscribe to this podcast

Host WC Turck speaks with First Chapter contest winners, Cheryl L. Reed and Mary Dean Cason about landing the right agent, characterization, story structure and more. The opening chapter to Map of My Escape by Cheryl L. Reed captured first place in this year’s very competitive first chapter contest. Cheryl was awarded a full scholarship to attend either the All-Genre Novel-In-Progress (NIP) Bookcamp & Writing Retreat held on June 12-18, 2022 near West Bend, Wisconsin Second place went to the first chapter of Mary Dean Cason's Banished Daughters of Eve.  Plus details on CWA’s 7th Annual First Chapter Contest, Book of the Year Submissions, and Submissions to Write City Magazine. For more about Cheryl L. Reed visit www.cherylreed.com And Mary Dean Cason on Amazon. Visit www.chicagowrites.org Our theme song, Midnight Ride is courtesy of Dino Olovcic  

Anne Beall and Judi Goshen are the publishers of Chicago Story Press. Their latest book is a collection of stories expanding upon concepts of love titled Storytellers' True Stories about Love. Chicago story press.com is the website. For Submissions to Chicago Story Press, click HERE Find Anne Beall's books and blog HERE Anne is also CEO of Beall Research a Boutique full-service market research partner and consultancy.  Subscribe to our Podcast by visiting Chicago Writes.org

In the May episode of Chicago Writes, a Podcast of the Chicago Writers Association, host WC Turck talks Branding with Michael Finney. Michael Finney is a Business Strategy Consultant focused on Media and Message. Find his workbook and course "How to Create a Personal Band in 10 Steps" at michael-finney.com. Back in February we heard from David W. Berner about Substack, the online publishing forum. In this two-part interview, David updates us on his experiences with Substack with some lessons learned, davidwberner.com. Plus, The Story of Literature, by WC Turck. Help us grow to become the best resource for Writers by spreading the word about the Chicago Writers Association. Did you know that membership is just $25 annually and makes a great gift for the writer in your life and is open to anyone all around the world. Chicagowrites.org. Our theme music is "Midnight Ride", from Dino Olovcic.

In just 3 short years the Chicago Writers Association's Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writer's Conference has become a must attend event for Writers and Authors. In it's first 2 years Let's Just Write earned critical accolades from Writer Magazine, calling it one of the Best conferences in America. This year's sold-out conference exceeded expectations. In this value-added Episode we bring you a few of the voices from presenters and attendees, with expert tips and advice from the conference. A list of the speakers and links to their sites are below! Eric Charles May, Associate Professor of Creative Writing, Columbia College. Eric was the presenter of "How to get to Meaningful Memoir Material. His critically acclaimed novel is Bedrock Faith. Eric's website is ericcharlesmay.com Christina D. Rodriguez is a Latinx poet, entrepreneur, and moderated the Poetry Panel discussion. Her website is crodonline.info. Find her on Instagram at @poemlust, and on Twitter @poem_lust. Tony Tragilio at Amazon. Kathleen Rooney at Kathleen Rooney and Parneshia Jones ay parneshiajones.com Writer, Poet and author Lea Grover's website is Lea Grover.com. Connect with Lea's powerful story of grief, loss and motherhood by searching the key words, lea + grover + mike's + ashes. Internationally renown author Toneal M. Jackson presented, Editing is Not an Option, at this year's Let's Just Write Conference. She was named one of the 18 most powerful women on Chicago's South Side. Toneal is truly an A.W.E. Inspiring coach and resource. Her website is My Name is Toneal.com. For more information on Chicago Writers Association, visit Chicago Writes.org. Become a member today, or give the gift of membership to the writer and author in your life here! And don't forget to subscribe to Chicago Writes, a Podcast of the Chicago Writers Association, and receive notifications about future podcasts and programs.

Continuing with our spotlight on the CWA Book of the Year award winners for 2021, this episode features our outstanding authors for Indie and Traditional Non-fiction. Plus CWA announcements and upcoming events! Edith: The Rogue Rockefeller McCormick by Andrea Friederici Ross describes the enigmatic and rebellious life of industrialist John D Rockefeller’s daughter. Andrea talks about this enigmatic personality, and discusses lessons learned in researching and writing biography. Attorney Gary V. Johnson is the author of Luck Is A Talent: The true story of one lawyer’s experience in the Jeanine Nicarico case.” Gary talks about this seminal and heartbreaking case, and why it was written as a memoir in this important conversation. The website is Luck Is A Talent.com  Host: WC Turck Music by Dino Olovcic

Libby Fischer Hellmann and Rachel Swearingen are the 2021 Chicago Writer's Association Book of the Year winners for Fiction. In this Episode Libby and Rachel talk about the Art and Business of Writing, Marketing and more. Libby Fischer Hellmann's website is https://libbyhellmann.com/ Rachel Swearingen's website is https://www.rachelswearingen.com/ And don't forget to visit www.chicagowrites.org